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How to Cook Homemade Stew for Dogs

A hearty meat stew packed with vegetables is healthy for you and your dog.

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Making homemade dog food is a healthy alternative to buying dry or canned commercial chow. And if you thought you'd need to buy expensive ingredients or slave over the stove to provide your pooch a proper diet, you'll be pleased to discover making stew for your pal is easy and it saves money.

Step 1

Put all the ingredients in a large soup pan -- one that will hold at least 3 to 5 gallons so it will not boil over while the stew is simmering.

Step 2

Add water to the pan until the water surface is at least an inch higher than the ingredients. Place the lid on the pan.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat before lowering the burner to medium-low heat. Keep the lid on, but place it slightly askew on the top of the pan so that a slight gap allows steam to escape. This will keep the stew from boiling over or scorching.

Step 4

Simmer the stew for at least two hours. Stir it occasionally to make sure the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Add water while it simmers if the liquid appears to be drying out. Keep a gap between the lid and the pan rim when you replace the lid.

Step 5

Remove the pan from the stove once the meat and vegetables are soft; you will find that the broth has simmered down or "reduced" itself.

Step 6

Allow the mixture to cool to just warm before serving it to your dog. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Items You Will Need

3 pounds of boneless chicken breasts or roast beef

2 cups brown rice or barley

6 large carrots or 12 baby carrots, diced

6 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

24 ounces of frozen peas

56 ounces of diced tomatoes in juice

3 tablespoons parsley or oregano

1⁄2 cup olive oil

Dash of salt

Soup pan

Water

Tip

This stew recipe is extremely versatile. You can substitute turkey or ground meat for the chicken or beef. Additionally, you can substitute any number of vegetables suitable for your dog to eat.

Photo Credits

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About the Author

Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder."